Release Blitz & Exclusive Excerpt:
Ripped by Linden Bell
Mars Fitness, Book 1
Sometimes heartache is a blessing in disguise.
I thought my life was perfect. I lived with my amazing boyfriend. I worked with my ride-or-die best friend. I was on track to made-it-ville.
Then I came home one day to find my boyfriend sleeping with my best friend.
Now I’m lost with no one to turn to except Donnie, the silver fox who lets me crash at his house until I can figure out what the hell went wrong and how I’m supposed to fix it.
But once I’m there, I’m not sure I want to leave.
Donnie’s a lot older than me and he’s still grieving the death of his husband. My life is a trash fire and my career is non-existent. He’s a svelte spin instructor and I’m a film geek. We couldn’t be more different, but we need each other like we both need to breathe.
So maybe my boyfriend sleeping with my best friend wasn’t the worst thing to happen. Maybe it was the best. It brought me to Donnie.
Ripped is an age gap, nerd/jock, opposites attract MM romance between roommates who cuddle on the couch while watching classic movies. Expect steamy shower rooms, teary confessions, disapproving family, and brand new starts. It is the first book in the Mars Fitness series and can be read as a standalone.
CW: off-page sudden loss of a spouse, off-page homophobia, cheating secondary characters. Happily ever after guaranteed.
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I pull my earbuds out as I open the door to the house. It’s quiet inside. “Connor?”
No answer. He’s definitely home though. His coat is still hanging from the rack by the door. He isn’t in the kitchen or in his bedroom upstairs. The only other option is in the basement—he better not be in the gym.
The door to the theater room is open and on the screen is the default “Ready to Cast” image of the projection system. Connor is curled up in one of the recliners. The armchair is fully extended, but he’s folded his big body into a ball, one arm wrapped around his knees, the other hand tucked under his head. He’s fast asleep.
I rushed out of Mars after my last class ended, dodging both Sawyer and Beau before they could stop me with questions I don’t want to answer and frankly, don’t have the answers to. That confrontation with Beau in the morning isn’t like me. I don’t get into arguments with people. I don’t get angry over something that has almost nothing to do with me. There’s something about Connor though, that’s bringing out every single protective instinct I possess.
I don’t usually rush out of Mars like I did either. Most days I linger and chat with gym members, answer their questions, and give them tips on exercise routines or healthy diets. If it’s late, I’ll stay to help Sawyer close up. I never really have anywhere else to be. I don’t have anyone waiting for me in this big, empty house. But I do today, and the anticipation had me practically running home.
I quietly flick the switch to turn the projector off and the change in lighting makes Connor stir. He blinks and stretches before lifting his head and spotting me.
“Oh hey, you’re home.”
My heart skips a beat at those two words. You’re home. They seep into me and warm me up until I feel all gooey and soft. There’s someone waiting for me and they’re happy that I’m finally here.
About the Author:
Linden Bell writes romance that heats you up and makes you smile. She’s a lifelong fan of romance novels and the happily ever after.
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